Home improvement refers to a wide range of projects that homeowners may take on at their own home. From painting and repairing to adding rooms, these projects can give your home a new look or boost its function.
It can also be a great way to make your home safer and more functional. However, before you begin any project, you should have a clear idea of what you want to do and how much money you can afford to spend.
The best home improvement projects can increase your home’s value and add a lot of enjoyment to your life. But there are also some renovations that can actually reduce your home’s value, and that should be a concern when deciding on which improvements to make.
How to Improve Your Home’s Value
You can make your home more attractive to potential buyers with some of the more costly home improvement projects, such as resale-friendly additions, according to Remodeling Magazine. For instance, you can upgrade your kitchen, which can boost the value of a home by around 70 percent, or refinish your floors, which can add about 50 percent to a home’s resale value.
Increasing the size of your home, or creating extra outdoor space with multiple functions can also be a good investment for your home, Steckel says. The cost of such improvements is less than other types of renovations, so they can be used as a budget option.
The resale value of your home depends on the condition it is in and what other homes in your neighborhood are selling for. For example, you don’t want to do any major home improvements that aren’t in line with other homes in your area.
For instance, you don’t want to refinish your entire bathroom because it will detract from the overall appearance of the room. You also don’t want to invest in expensive marble flooring or a $10,000 kitchen range that is out of your price range.
How to Choose a Good Contractor
The first step to hiring the right home improvement contractor is to do your research. Find out if they are licensed and registered with your state or local government, and then get their references. Then, meet with the contractor and discuss your goals.
Be sure to negotiate the terms of the contract, including a deposit and payment schedule. You should not be forced to pay more than a third of the total contract amount upfront, and you should make it clear in the contract what work will be performed and when it will be completed.
It’s a good idea to have a written list of the work you want done, so that you can easily negotiate with different contractors and avoid surprises. You should also be familiar with any permits that might be required for the project, so you can ensure that your contractors know what to do and how to complete it.
The most important aspect of any home improvement project is the quality of the work. A poorly executed job will not only result in a poor finished product, but can also damage your property and your family’s safety. A good contractor should have the skills, experience and knowledge to do a professional job that will last for years to come.